SHEStories + Saraswati Yoga = Muse Flow

Zoom online

MS
Mountain Shakti
  • Email address verified
11 reviews
Sep 18, 2021
Group size: 5 - 30
SHEStories + Saraswati Yoga = Muse Flow
Zoom online

Mountain Shakti
  • Email address verified
11 reviews

Sep 18, 2021
Group size: 5 - 30

About this trip

 

"Writing and Yoga are Soulmates.~ Stephanie Renee dos Santos


 "Writing Women Back into History.  ~ Mary Sharratt


Yoga reveals insights; Writing records. Yoga balances breath; Writing surfs oceans of language. Yoga taps the unconscious; Writing transcribes wisdom within. Writing requires presence; Yoga is the assistant. Writing is a world offering; Yoga cull forth the gift. Writing is a solo act; Yoga provides community.


Yoga relieves body and mind tension; when the body is at ease, so become constrictions of the mind and creative spirit — opening space for your writing to: flow, seep and burst forth.  In this yoga and writing workshop we will stretch our body and stoke our creative fire, practicing with ancient yogic goddess wisdom focused on Devi Saraswati. We will learn how to align and invoke Saraswati, goddess of writing, to support our creative effort. We'll open to and energize our being to invite the muse to awaken within for our creative writing to naturally unfold.


This workshop is open to everyone: fiction writers, memoir, non-fiction, poets, journalists, those that journal, and other storytellers and creative artists of all sorts and levels of experience. The workshop explores and combines Hatha Yoga (postures), mantra (sounds), the cakras (energetic centers), mudra (hand/body gestures), Yoga Nidra (guided meditation), wisdom mythology, writing exercises, exploration of women mystic throughout history, small-group interaction and sharing, encouraging antidotes and practical yoga-writer wisdom.


The yoga practices in this workshop will spark your creative muse, liberating your authentic voice and deepest truths while we attune to the five elements of yoga and their power to empower creative writing. When we focus on the five elements within and align with a yogic goddess of creativity we open ourselves to a well-spring of inspiration and tap into its unlimited potential.


Materials to have on-hand and wear: 


1. Pen and writing journal and laptop. 

2. A piece of writing you would like to work on, if you have one. But not necessary! You can begin a new work in the workshop too. 

3. Colored pencils and/or colored pens. 

4. (2) 8 x11 card stock white paper + access to a printer

5.  Wear comfortable clothes you can move in without restrictions.

6. Yoga mat or towel can pass in a pinch too. Optional: 2 yoga blocks and cord.


Daily Schedule:


Saturday & Sunday (Pacific Standard Time/PST)


9:00-10:30 Saraswati Yoga + Guided meditation (w/Stephanie)

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-12:15 SHEStories (w/Mary)

12:15-12:30 Discussion + Closing for day 

Your Writing & Yoga Guides

Mary Sharratt is the acclaimed author of eight novels including Daughters of the Witching Hill, IlluminationsEcstasy, and Revelations, which will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in April 2021. Mary is on a mission to write women back into history. She's been featured on NPR, winner of the 2013 Nautilus Gold Award, the 2005 WILLA Literary Award, and co-edited the subversive fiction anthology BITCH LIT, which celebrates female anti-heroes–strong women who break all the rules. She has taught creative writing at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her essays have been published in The Wall Street Journal, Enchanted Living, Huffington Post, Lithub, Catapult, and elsewhere, and she blogs monthly for Feminism & Religion. Visit her website: www.marysharratt.com


Stephanie Renee dos Santos is a Yogini artist/writer steeped in the nondual Tantric sacred feminine wisdom traditions (Trika/Sri Vidya). She guides goddess-inspired hatha yoga, meditation, and Yogini arts. Yearly, she leads women's yoga groups into the wilds of the mountains and goddess pilgrimages in the USA, India and Nepal. She is part of the forthcoming women's anthology When She Wakes, women's firsthand accounts of Kundalini awakening, and debuting in 2021 historical novel Cut From The Earth (Semi-Finalist International Chaucer Awards). She is a contributor to Yoga MagazineLalitambaAmerican Athenaeum and Historical Novel Review.  Visit her website: www.mountainshakti.com. 


 

Testamonials

 Praise for Mary Sharratt:


“Historical fiction at its finest, an absorbing tale sparkling with authentic nuggets on every page, whether musical, sartorial, architectural, or political. And it brings an important female composer to light who has not received the attention she is due.”
~NPR for Ecstasy


“An absorbing bildungs-roman that grapples with strikingly contemporary issues of gender and religious identification, definitions, and discrimination.”
~New York Times Book Review for The Dark Lady’s Mask  


“Who wouldn’t want to read about a ballsy 12th century nun whose divine visions could make the most powerful, evil monk shiver in his tunic?”
~People Magazine for Illuminations


“Sharratt crafts her complex yet credible account by seamlessly blending historical fact, modern psychology, and vivid evocations of the daily life of the poor whose only hope of empowerment lay in the black arts. Set in forests and towers, farms and villages, deep in a dungeon and on the gallows, this novel grows darker as it approaches its inevitable conclusion, but proves uplifting in its portrayal of women who persevere, and mothers and daughters who forgive.”
~Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review for Daughters of the Witching Hill

Praise for Stephanie dos Santos:


“‘Yoga for Writers’ was a great way to start the day! Stephanie led us through stretches I’m sure were designed to open up shoulders and backs that have been hunched over keyboards for too long. It was lovely to breathe deeply and take the time to get in touch with the present moment before the demands of a busy conference…Thanks for a great session.”
~ Deborah Swift London, England author of A Divided Inheritance, The Lady’s Slipper, The Gilded Lady

“It was totally heaven to take an out-of-doors yoga class with Stephanie at our novelists’ conference [the Historical Novel Society Conference in St. Petersburg, FL]. At 7:00 am it was still cool in Florida, and the gentle stretches were accompanied by the rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds. Stephanie is a gentle, inspired, gracious teacher. I felt utterly blessed!”
~Stephanie Cowell New York City, NY author of Claude & Camille, Marrying Mozart, The Players: A Novel of Young Shakespeare, Nicolas Cooke 


“I’ve dabbled in yoga for many years, but never connected it to my writing practice before. I signed up for this workshop hoping to work through a bit of writer’s block on my novel. We met on the labyrinth at Fairhaven Park, a perfect setting for outdoor yoga. After an hour of poses targeting our hips, back, neck and shoulders, opening ourselves to creativity and culminating in Tibetan meditation, we sat down to write. Stephanie guided us through writing prompts focusing our attention on the natural world. The yoga gave my writing an awareness of my physical surroundings that I sometimes neglect. We returned to our mats for a few more vinyasas before a final writing exercise to bring it all together. I was quite surprised to find that the stream of consciousness observations from the earlier prompts fit perfectly into my novel, and I wrote a short scene that I didn’t even know my story needed. I intend to use the poses I learned from Stephanie in my future yoga and writing practice, and I hope to work with her again.”
~Kari Neumeyer Bellingham, WA author of the dog memoir, Bark and Lunge: The Isis Story, and novel-in-progress, Fight Like a Lady


“This three hour workshop was dense with knowledge–both mystical and practical–utilizing the ancient principles of mind and body–focused around ‘how to build a better, more complete writer.’  The instructor, Stephanie Renee dos Santos, demonstrated a confidence and understanding of the journey through the means and methods of how she facilitated the yoga and supported the writing. Each individual felt valued no matter their level of experience or ‘expertise.’  Binding our work with Tibetan Yoga and sensory writing was a heartfelt conviction and compassion. Having taken heaps of writing workshops and yoga classes–along with my MFA in Creative Writing, my only wish was that this workshop was longer, and that I would’ve been able to attend the second day.”
~J.R. Gill Bellingham, WA writer and Writing Instructor 

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. Who are writing & yoga workshops designed for? The yoga classes at the workshops are for anyone who writes: novelist, poet, blogger, memoir, non-fiction, journal writing, journalist, essayist, screen writers, playwrights, anyone who writes or wants to write.


2. What if I am new to yoga? Or an advanced yogin? Yoga for beginners and the seasoned, flow yoga to yoga therapy, each workshop is designed to meet the needs of everyone, making adjustments to poses as needed for you. 


3. What areas of the body does the yoga focus on? The hips, lower back, shoulders, fingers/feet, eyes and neck. The hip and lower back region often becomes locked when sitting in a chair for long periods of time. Typing all day and holding one’s body in a position of intent concentration in front of the computer, many people develop pain, soreness, and rigidity in the shoulder and scapula region. We will work to open all mentioned regions to generate blood circulation and to ease tension. 


4. What if I am new to writing? Great! No problem. What is important is to first hear the inner voice and allow it to come forth and be explored.  This workshop is the perfect opportunity to do just this. You will learn ways to channel and unleash and support that voice!   


5. How can yoga assist my writing? 

  1. Developing a regular yoga practice helps reinforce discipline to write regularly.
  2. Yoga requires focus of concentration to enter, hold, and exit poses, as you develop this inner quality for the yoga postures this development of focus naturally effects your ability to write.
  3. Yoga develops “staying power” to write-through difficult passages and obstacles all writers meet along the way when creating and structuring works.
  4. Inspiration and ideas spring or trickle forth when we are in a state of calm, through yoga one learns how to access this state.
  5. You will learn how to set intentions/goals for your writing through the practice of guided meditation called Yoga Nidra.

6. What other benefits may I experience from a workshop? General ease in the body and mind, self-awareness, along with renewed energy. Community and support of a group of writers: feedback, sharing of the writing process and techniques, learning more about the writing craft.


7. How has a regular yoga practice helped Mary and I with our writing? Mary:  Writers are sensitive artists who constantly draw on their wellsprings of inspiration, the stream of their creative flow. However, the publishing world can be a ruthless, competitive, turbulent, and ever-changing place, especially as the book industry grapples with Covid and economic uncertainty. Many writers of my acquaintance have struggled with depression and burn out. This is why I’m so grateful for my Yoga and spiritual practice. Yoga helps release emotional and physical stress and contraction. It draws me out of the headspace of clamoring negative thoughts and puts me back in touch with the deep source of creativity within, that exists in all of us, no matter what transpires in the outer world. My practice is my refuge.  


Stephanie: After freelance writing, publishing short fiction, and years of work on my first novel, going through all the hurdles to get the book ready to pursue publication I can say that my hips are open —  I can Samba dance easily! My lower back is pain-free, along with my shoulders and neck. I don’t feel burned out, but ready for the next phases of midwifing the manuscript into the world. Writing doesn't have to be a pain-inducing pursuit, but one of comfort and well-being when supported by a regular yoga practice. A yogic practice that grounds you in sound and wise body-mind and spirit movement and truths and is actually a well-being toolbox for writers.


8. Are there any scholarships available? Yes, there are a few scholarships available for those in need. Please email Stephanie for an assistance application:  stephaniereneedossantos@gmail.com

What’s included

  • Daily Saraswati Yoga
    Goddess-based Hatha Yoga to open heart, back, hips, neck, eyes, shoulders, chest, fingers and toes + flowing Saraswati classical Indian dance inspired movement to cultivate joy, freedom and flow!
  • Daily Devi Meditation
    Each day we will explore a Saraswati meditation, allowing you to relax into your inner world of self-discovery
  • Introduction Saraswati
    Learn about Yogic goddess of writing, Saraswati. We will explore Her mythology and symbolism and the wisdom tools She offers for your creative path
  • SHEStories Instruction
    Activation of creative expression—"She Stories" writing exercises to unblock and harness your natural creative flow
  • Unearthing Herstory
    Guidance in uncovering women’s lost stories, of finding and reclaiming the Herstory buried in history
  • Women Mystics Talk
    A discussion of the women mystics and Yoginis of East and West, with guided contemplative practice that is accessible and welcoming to people of all spiritual backgrounds
  • SHEStories Prompts
    Structured guided "She Stories" writing prompts that work with the wisdom of yoga and Goddess Saraswati
  • Creativity Cultivation
    Learn writer yogic applicable skills to cultivate the state that creativity likes to manifest into: a state of surrender, openness, empowerment, focus, grounded intuition, strength, compassion
  • Writer Intention Setting
    Learn and practice setting intentions for your writing and to visualize/meditate on them
  • Yogic Staying Power
    Increase your ability to avail yourself to the creative process and daily development of staying power
  • Time to Write
    Develop new work or rework a work-in-progress and have the whole rest of the day post workshop hours to apply and contemplate the workshop material
  • Women's Writing Circle
    Post workshop, there will be a private Facebook group to share your writing in a supportive group atmosphere of diverse and like-minded women with the opportunity to be of support to each other.
  • Loving guidance
    With care and support we'll help you along as you explore and apply these wisdom writing and yoga teachings to your own creative life
  • SHEStories Handouts
    All supporting written and visual material provided in downloadable PDF
  • Zoom Recordings
    Both days of the workshop will be recorded and links provided for everyone. Just in case you are unable to be present for the duration of the workshop.
  • 7 Workshop Hours
    Each day there will be 3 1/2 hours of guided teaching inclusive of writing time and group exchange = total 7 workshop hrs
  • Early Bird GIFT!
    The first 11 registrants receive an ebook of Mary's latest release "Revelations" (15th c. story of mystics Margery Kempe & Julian of Norwich) + mp3 guided meditation "Saraswati Yoga Nidra"!

Available Packages

Early Bird

Early Bird Gift! The first 5 registrants receive an ebook of Mary's latest release "Revelations"! + mp3 guided meditation "Saraswati Yoga Nidra"! Until May 12, 2021


Regular price: $129



$108

Itinerary

SheStories + Yoga
She Stories + Saraswati Yoga = Muse Flow

Write and practice Goddess yoga while exploring the wisdom of Goddess Saraswati of creativity to liberate and empower your creative voice and embody the muse within you to write women's stories. Join bestselling women's historical fiction author Mary Sharratt whose on a mission "To write women back into history" and Goddess Yoga guide Stephanie dos Santos to liberate and empower the voices of women around the world. Jai Ma!

Your Organizer


MS
Mountain Shakti
11 reviews
​ ​Stephanie teaches nondual Tantric wisdom. She’s known​ for ​creating sacred healing, creative-expressive and meditative spaces. Certified in Integrative and Kum Nye Yoga, and deity yoga of the nondual Shiva/Shakti and Shakta traditions. She holds a B.A in Studio Arts from Whitman College​.​She is part of the forthcoming anthology "When She Wake: Women's Stories of Awakening". She guides Mountain Shakti yoga backpacking pilgrimages around the world and is the creative of Ashram of Arts. Visit: www.mountainshakti.com

Reviews

Fantastic deep dive into Nepalese culture, yoga, meditation and the traditions of Dashain! I highly recommend for anyone looking to explore Nepal in a small, like-minded group with a knowledgeable and experienced guide. From learning about and honoring ancient spiritual traditions to hiking in the Himalayas, this is a trip of a lifetime!
By Heather B for 14 Day Himalayan Yogini: Cultural Backpacking Pilgrimage on Nov 01, 2023
I had a fantastic trip to India with Ganga and Stephanie. They took us to VERY special places that are off the yoga tourist path. Their Goddess teachings, dance, and yoga are soul deepening and realizing. They went above and beyond to keep us safe and comfortable during our stay. I'm so appreciative of them putting this trip together and sharing the love India has to offer. I met incredible women from all over the world and the friendships we formed with one another will last a lifetime.
By Hailly B for Embodying Devi: Yoga & Dance of Tantric Goddesses on Apr 14, 2020
Amazing experience with Stephanie and Ganga. Beautifully planned, unique programme of Pilgrimage, connecting to cultural heritage of India and Devi practices. Organisation was impeccable, we felt very supportive and taken care of. Enjoyed every moment.
By Elena K for Continuing Pilgrimage Package: Taj Mahal + Ganges River + Shakti Peeth on Mar 23, 2020
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Thank you to Stephanie and Ganga Devi for the incredible opportunity to connect with the goddesses in all their forms. This trip will be etched in my memory forever! thank you!
By Estelle T for Embodying Devi: Yoga & Dance of Tantric Goddesses on Mar 18, 2020
My experience backpacking with Stephanie and her Goddess teachings have expedited myself to pure bliss. She takes us high up on top of mountains with spectacular views. Her guided meditations connects your soul to the earth in such a way that it lasts a long time. I've done two trips with her and each one was special and meaningful. Stephanie is very experienced and knowledgeable and I only wish she was my local Yogini teacher! I highly recommend going on a Goddess pilgrimage with her. It's life changing. Namaste.
By Hailly B for 4 Day 2019 Wilderness Goddess: Yoga Backpacking Pilgrimage on Aug 28, 2019
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